Date: December 6, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT COUNTY SEEKS OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER STORIES

(AKRON, OHIO) — United Way of Summit County Volunteer Center is seeking stories of volunteers, individuals and/or groups, who inspire by example to celebrate during its 7th Annual Volunteer Celebration. This year’s theme is “Volunteers…Priceless.”

The Celebration will be held Thursday, May 1, 2008 at St. Joseph's Family Center, 610 W. Exchange Street in Akron. This event celebrates outstanding volunteer efforts of individuals and groups in our community. The week of April 27 through May 3, 2008 has been designated National Volunteer Week.

As part of the festivities, various “Volunteer Stories” of individuals or groups who have displayed extraordinary volunteer services within organizations and/or within their own neighborhood will be acknowledged. Stories must be submitted by 3 p.m., Thursday, January 10, 2008. Volunteer Story Submission Forms are available by contacting the United Way of Summit County at 330-762-7601 or by visiting our website at www.uwsummit.org.

Cindy Kellett of the Akron Art Museum, and chair of the Volunteer Celebration Committee, said, “It’s a natural that we get stories from many non-profit organizations about those wonderful people who volunteer so much of their time to those organizations and we love hearing those stories. But this year, we also hope that people will use this as a chance to celebrate and honor individuals who give of themselves in their neighborhoods. For example, if you know of someone who regularly shovels snow or rakes the leaves of a neighbor for free, those are the type of stories that we would really love to hear about as well.”

“The individuals in our community who volunteer reach above and beyond to give back to all of us,” said Bob Kulinski, President, United Way of Summit County. “This community has enjoyed a rich legacy of caring volunteers for generations, and we are very proud to honor them.”

United Way of Summit County improves lives by mobilizing community assets for health and human services. For more information on any program or to volunteer, call the office at (330) 762-7601, visit our website at www.uwsummit.org, or write to us at United Way of Summit County, 90 N. Prospect St., P.O. Box 1260, Akron, Ohio 44309-1260.